PGA West Stadium Course: #17
PGA West Stadium Course #17: Welcome to “Alcatraz.” Home to Lee Trevino’s “Hole in One” – one of the most famous shots in golf history – which gave him the “Skins Game” victory over Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Raymond Floyd.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
1227 Reviews (1227)
5 Stars
784
4 Stars
278
3 Stars
97
2 Stars
41
1 Stars
27
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.4%
Recommend this course
1087 out of 1227 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
63 Reviews (63)
5 Stars
49
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.2%
Recommend this course
60 out of 63 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
90 Reviews (90)
5 Stars
68
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.4%
Recommend this course
85 out of 90 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This iconic stadium course delivers a bucket-list layout with stunning mountain views, challenging water hazards, and conditions that consistently impress recent golfers. Welcoming staff from bag drop to pro shop make every visitor feel genuinely excited to play.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 7300 yards
Slope 148
Rating 75.8

This is the monster of all monsters, the one that carries so many folktales of golfer terror with it that it should qualify as its own myth. The developers asked Pete Dye to make this "the toughest golf course in the world" and many argue he succeeded. Too well.

The Stadium Course at PGA WEST in La Quinta is one of those tracks that any self-respecting golf nut has to play once. Just to experience it. Just to say you did. Just to have stories of golf cruelty to tell at the office water cooler. There's a 19-foot deep bunker on the 16th hole. That's right. A 19-foot deep bunker. Your ball won't get out. Heck, you might not get out. From the back tees it measures 7,300 yards with an incredible 148-slope rating.

Every hole is a story waiting to be told. Either in success to be bragged about or failure to be even more bragged about. The PGA players moaned about this course so loud that it's no longer a regular stop on tour. Yet for average hackers, it's often a joy of punishment. Go in with the right attitude and it's liable to be one of your most unforgettable days of golf.

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PGA WEST - Pete Dye Stadium Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1987
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye (1987) Alice Dye (1986)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "PGA WEST Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code No denim, collared shirt and bermuda shorts required

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.6
1227 Reviews (1227)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 42
Patio Dining 28
19th Hole Scenic Views 26
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 70
Water Hazards 67
Forced Carries 49
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 61
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 52
A Weekend Splurge 31
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 42
At a Resort 34
Convenient to the City 18

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful but very tough

The course is a beautiful dunes type course. Beware beginners or those looking for an easy or moderate round of golf. This is a very difficult course. Like climb down into a bunker with an 8 foot face hard. There are several other courses at this location. I would recommend the Mountain Course if you're looking for the beautiful surroundings but a normal difficulty rating. If you prefer a dunes course with rolling everything this is for you!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/12/2021

Hi, maris3518615. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing The Stadium Course at PGA West.

Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Not worth it.

They flooded the tee sheet so everyone was waiting on every single hole's tee box. Some tees were worse than others with three groups waiting on the tee and it wasn't like we teed off late in the afternoon. We teed off just past noon and were still not able to finish the round. For the price they are charging to play it just simply isn't worth it especially when it takes 5 hours plus to finish your round. The course wasn't even in that great of shape. I do NOT recommend.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/19/2021

Thanks for the review. We see you rated the course 1 star. We take single star feedback very seriously at our course. Please reach out to our management team at (800) 742-9378. Thank you for playing The Stadium Course at PGA West.

Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/12/2021

We're glad you enjoyed your 5-star experience with us. Please comment or reach out to our team in the golf shop to let us know more about your round!

Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Pete "diabolical" Dye

is the nickname I have for this golf course designer. Deep pits to escape if you are just a bit off line. greens are good, fairways excellent. excellent pace of play till the very last 3 holes.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/12/2021

Thank you for your review, u425184049. We will pass along your positive experience to our team at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/04/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!

Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/12/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, CW4030! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!

Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/12/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, Tshuvah22! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/23/2020

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, bellas! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!

Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Experience

Pro shop was awesome and the staff was so helpful. The course was in tip top shape. The greens rolled so true. We look forward to playing it again soon. We felt like we had the course to ourselves.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 50
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Pete Dye was a mean guy.

First round here in 15 years. This course requires all the shots You can get uneven lies is every fairway. Greens are undulating and tricky. Bunkers are deep. And you can find yourself green side in what I would describe as deep Bermuda grass “bunkers”, leaving you 6-8 feet below green elevation. Water abounds. Every shot requires station to station forethought to ensure you have a prayer from where you leave yourself. The Stadium Course deserves its reputation as a brutal test of golf.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 100
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Must play in palm springs

Beautiful course, about 6 to 8 strokes harder than most courses. Well worth the money.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/17/2020

Hi, james275. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing The Stadium Course at PGA West.

Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/09/2020

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, Captainmustang! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!

Played On
Reviews 51
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/10/2020

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Treat yourself ro TPC

Great course. Greens and fairways were perfect. Bunkers a bit hard. TPC is always a great choice in the desert. 16th and 17th are worthy the price of admissions. Pace was great. Right at four hours with no one pushing you or vice verse. Definitely will play here again

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/04/2020

Thank you for your review, victor3360028. We will pass along your positive experience to our team at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

fun to play on pro course

Course has a lot of spots not to hit a ball! The tips in the cart machine will warn you though. It is very cool playing on a well maintained course where PGA use to visit.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
First Time Playing

Disappointed

Staff was awesome and the course layout and features were everything I expected! I was a little disappointed on how the fairways to rough looked and played. If you’ve seen pictures of this beautiful course you’d understand. The greens were a bit slower than I imagined and for god sakes people fix your ball marks!!! Evidently a PGA event is coming this January??? I can’t wait to see the transformation they will have their work cut out for them. As for golf now.... always a good deal!

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

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PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

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PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package

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LA JOLLA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Torrey Pines – South Course and Torrey Pines – North Course.

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